PIERRE, S.D. – Six local kids were winners at the Elks Lodge No. 1953 Hoop Shoot at the Georgia Morse Middle School gym on Sunday evening. Hudson Hackett, Tripp Lindekugel, Jett Yackley, Skylar Harter, Quinn Schiefelbein, and Ellen Hart each won their age group contest and advance to the State Hoop Shoot to be held February 4 in Pierre.
Tripp Lindekugel hit the most shots on the night, hitting 20 of 25 free throws to win the 10–11-year-old boys division. Jaiden Williams hit 17 shots to take second place in the division.
Quinn Schiefelbein was the winner of the girls’ 10–11-year-old division with 14 makes, and Sydney Hackett took second place in the age group.
The only tiebreaker of the night was in the girls’ 12-13-year-old division. Ellen Hart and Sophie Hackett each made 17 of their first 25 free throws and were tied for first place. Hart hit two of the five tiebreaker shots to edge out Sophie Hackett, who took home the second-place trophy.
Jett Yackley won the 12-13-year-old boys division with 19 makes. He was followed by Shane Jones who finished second with 12 shots made.
The youngest boys’ division was won by Hudson Hackett who went 18-of-25 on the night. Nate Marty hit 14 and Asher Spoehr made 12 to take second and third place, respectively.
Skylar Harter made seven baskets to win the 8-9-year-old girls’ division and was followed closely by Tenley Lindekugel with six makes.
In total, 28 local kids participated in the free, annual free-throw contest. The lodge contest is the first step in advancing to the April national championships in Chicago. The winners of the contest will compete among winners from all South Dakota lodges on February 4 at Georgia Morse Middle School. The winners will compete at the regionals in Rapid City in March against the Montana and North Dakota state winners.
The Hoop Shoot is a signature kids program sponsored by the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks, national fraternal organization. For more information about the Hoop Shoot or Elks Lodge No. 1953, please visit elks.org.
